Power-controlling device.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

H. H. WILLIAMS. POWER GONTROLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

f77/venan- No. 805,399. I PATENTED NOV. 21, '1905.'

H. H. WILLIAMS.

POWER CONTROLLING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 20, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application led January 20, 1902. Serial No. 90,440.

T0 tI/Z, whom, t may concern;

Be it known that I, HERBERT H. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power-Controlling Devices, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in power-controlling devices.

In the ordinary operation of railway-trains or tram-cars it is usual to provide a separate controller for each different application it is desired to make of power. Thus, for instance, the motor, the brakes, the track-sanding apparatus, and the alarm are all controlled by independent agencies, whether operated from the same source of power or not. It is, however, highly desirable that the engineer or motorman should keep his hands on the agencies by which the motive power and the brakes are controlled, this being particularly true in tram-car work, where emergency stops may be frequently necessary. With the systems now in vogue, however, if a motorman,

- for instance, desires to operate his track-sanding apparatus he is obliged to either let go of his motive-power controller or brake-handle or else he must operate the sander by his foot, and in any case his attention is liable to be distracted, so that should an emergency arise he is delayed in taking such action as may be required.

The present invention has for one of its 0bjectsto provide an improved power-controlling device by which power may be utilized by different agencies, whereby the number of controlling devices is reduced.

A further object of the invention is to produce a power-controlling device by which the power derived from a reservoir may be utilized for a plurality of purposes. A further object' of the invention is to produce an improved power-controlling' device by which the power from a reservoir may be caused to operate the brakes and for another specific purpose or purposes.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved power-controlling device by which the power from a reservoir may be used to operate the brakes and a track-sanding apparatus. I

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements, and combina-v ldinary construction.

tions, as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifially pointed out in the claims hereunto appende In the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the general arrangement of air-reservoir, brake-cylinder, and track-sanding apparatus of a car. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the improved power-controller and part-s immediately connected therewith as applied to the system illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of the valves employed. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

The embodiment of the invention which has been chosen for illustration is an apparatus by which the brakes and the track-sander are Operated from the same source of power and the power employed is derived from air under pressure.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a power-reservoir which contains air under pressure. 2 indicates a brake-cylinder, and 3 represents diagrammatically a track-sander, which may be of ordinary construction. In the preferred form of construction the connections from the power reservoir to the brake-cylinder and the sander will lead to a casing which is common to both sets of connections. In the construction shown a suitable form of casing is indicated at 5. The connection between this casing and the powerreservoir is made by means of a pipe 6, the connection between the brake-cylinder and this casing is made by a pipe 7, and the connection between the sander and the casing is made by a pipe 8. The usual exhaust-pipe by which pressure is relieved in the brake-cylinder is indicated at 9. In the preferred form of the construction the casing is provided with a chamber 10, with which the several pipes before referred to communicate, the casing being cored out or provided in any suitable manner with passages which form extensions of the pipes.

A suitable valve is employed to control the communication between the chamber 10 and the power-reservoir and brake-cylinder. As shown, this valve is a rotary valve 11 of or- It is provided with a stem 12, havingapolygonal end 13, which eX- tends up through the cap of the casing and has a port 14, which extends through it-that TOO IOS

is to say, which opens on both sides of the valve. The pipe 6 opens into the chamber below this valve. rI`he valve 11 is held snugly against its seat 16, which in the present instance is formed by the upper wall of the chamber by means of the pressure in the chamber, a light spring being also preferably used to sustain the valve in position when the pressure is cut ott. The pipe 7 (see Fig. 8) connects with a passage or conduit 18, formed in the casing, said conduit having an opening which leads into the chamber 10. When,there fore, the valve is turned so 4that the port 14 communicates with the passage or conduit 18, the air will pass from the pipe 6 through the chamber into the pipe 7, and thus to the brakecylinder.

Any desired means may be employed for operating the Valve 11. As shown an ordinary controller-handle 19 is employed for this purpose, said handle having a polygonal oriice which slips over and engages the polygonal end 18 of the stem 12. In order that the handle may not be removed from the stem at the time the valve 11 is in operative position, the handle is provided with a latch 20, which takes under a flange 21, formed on the casingcap, said flange having a slot 22, (see Fig. 2,) through which the latch 2O passes. This-slot is so located that when the latch is brought into register with it the valve will be in a predetermined position. In order to prevent the latch from being withdrawn accidentally whenever it passes the slot 22, it is backed up by a spring-pin 28, as is usual in such constructions.

As has been before stated, according to the present embodiment of the invention it is proposed to employ the air in the power-reservoir not only to operate the brakes, but to operate a track-sander, and to do this by means which are so related to the brake-controller that the operator may throw the sander into operation with thehand with whichhe is operating the brake-controller and without removing that hand from the controller. While the particular construction by which this result.

is attained may be varied within wide limits, as shown the valve 11 is provided with a long port 24, which is always in register with the opening of a passage or conduit 25 formed in the casing, said passage or conduit being in open communication with the pipe 8. Itis important that the connections by which the sander is operated be of such a character that the sander may be thrown into operation not only when the brakes are thrown on to stop the car, but also when the brakes are thrown off-as, for instance, when the car is started or when it is climbing grades. WVhile this might be effected by other means than that shown in the present construction, it is accomplished by making the port 24 a long port, so that it is practically always in register with the opening of the passage 25. It is obvious that the long port 24 cannot be in open communication with the chamber 10 and that the i communication which it has with this chamber should be such that it can be established or interrupted whenever desired. While the means by which the port 24 is brought into communication with the chamber 10 may be of any desired character, in the construction shown the port does not pass through the valve, and an opening 26 (see Fig. 8) is formed through one of the side walls oi the chamber into which the port leads. This opening communicates with a passage 27 inthe stem 12 of the valve 11. This passage 27 communicates with the chamber 10, the opening of the passage being closed by a valve 28, which preferabl y has a long stem 29 extending through the passage and nearly through the stem 12 of the valve 11. The under side or' the valve is provided with a suitable guide 80, which takes through a bonnet 81 of usual construction, the valve being held in position by a light spring 82 as well as by the pressure or' air in the chamber 10. tion it will be seen that when the valve 28 is opened communication is established between the chamber 10 and the port 24 and that the air may pass from the chamber through the passage 26, the port 24, passage 25, and the pipe 8 to the sander.

'Ihe means for operating the valve 28 may be varied in construction and will depend upon the character of the valve and the location of the passage which it controls. These means will, however, in the preferred form of the construction be such, as has been before stated, that they can be actuated by the operator by the hand which is used to operate the brakecontroller and without removing that hand from the handle which forms this controller. In the construction shown the handle 19 is provided with a recess or cavity 82', and in this recess is pivoted a lever 88. The end of this lever takes into a notch 84 inthe stem 12 and overlies the end ot the stem 29 oi' the valve 28. The handle is further provided with a recess 85, in which is located a plunger 86, said plunger having an opening through which the lever 88 passes and being normally held in such a position that the lever 88 is out of contact with the stem 28 by means of a spring 87, which is or may be located in asocket formed in the handle.

lNhen the invention is embodied in a construction of the character which has just been described, it is desirable to provide means for releasing the pressure in the brake-cylinder whenever the brakes are to be thrown off.

-rIhis may be accomplished by providing the With this construc- IIO is out ot' register with the opening of the passage 18, the port 38 will span the opening of the passage 18 and of the passage 39 and the air will be allowed to escape from the brakecylinder through the exhaust.

While the apparatus which has been selected to illustrate the invention is designed to effect the operation of the track-sander by means of air-pressure from the cylinder which operates the brakes and through means which are governed from controllers so arranged that they may be actuated by the operator without removing his hand from either to operate the other, it is to be understood that the invention as to certain of its features includes constructions in which such controllers need not be employed, and where such controllers are employed the power might be derived from dierent sources. While, furthermore, theinvention is particularly adapted for effecting the operation of the brake-sander from an airreservoir in the manner described, it is to be understood that it is not to be confined to this particular use, but that in its broader aspect it includes constructions by which a plurality of applications ot' power are governed by controllers relatively so located that an operator can actuate one without removing his hand from the other. While, furthermore, the specitic construction which has been described is particularly adapted for eecting the purposes for which the invention is designed, the invention may be embodied in constructions which differ widely therefrom. The invention is not, therefore, to be confined to the speciiic details of construction hereinbefore set forth.

What is claimed is` l. The combination withapower-reservoir, of a brake-cylinder, connections between the reservoir and the brake cylinder, a tracksander, connections between the reservoir and the track-sander, a valve for each set of connections, a single casing inV which both valves are located,and means for operating the valves, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a power-reservoir, of a brake-cylinder, connections between the reservoir and the brake cylinder, a tracksander, connections between the reservoir and the sander, a valve for each set of connections, a single casing in which said valves are located, a handle for operating one of the valves, and an actuating means for the other valve carried by the handle, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a power-reservoir, of a brake-cylinder, a set of connections between the reservoir and the brake-cylinder, a track-sander, a set of connections between the sander and the reservoir, a chambered casing located in both sets of connections, a

rotary valve for controlling the connectionsbetween the reservoir and the brake-cylinder, a reciprocating valve for controlling the other set of connections, both valves being located a pipe with which in the casing, valves, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a power-reservoir, of a brake-cylinder, a set of connections between the reservoir and the brake-cylinder, a track-sander, a set ot' connections between the sander and the reservoir, a chambered casing located in both sets of connections, a rotary valve for controlling the connections between the reservoir and the brake-cylinder, a reciprocating valve for controlling the other set of connections both valves being located in the casing, a handle for operating the rotating valve, and actuating means for operating the reciprocating valve carried by the handle, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a chambered casing, of means for admitting air under pressure to said chamber, a rotary valve working in said chamber, means for leading air under pressure from the chamber, a port extending through the valve for establishing communication between said means and the chamber, a port opening on one side of the valve only,

said port may communicate, connections between said. port and the chamber,a valve in said connections,and means for operating the valves, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a chambered casing, of means for admitting air under pressure to said chamber, a rotary valve working in said chamber, means for leading air under pressure from the chamber, a port extending through the valve for establishing communication between said means and the chamber, a port opening on one side of the valve only, a pipe with which said port may communicate connections between said port and the chamber, a valve in said connections, a handle for operating the rotary valve, and means carried by the handle for operating the other valve, substantially as described.

and operating means for both TOO IOS

7. The combination with an air-reservoir, of

a chambered casing, connections whereby open communication may be established between the air-reservoir and the chamber in the casing, a brake-cylinder, connections between the brake-cylinder and the chamber, a rotary valve for controlling said connections, means for leading olf air under pressure from said chamber, a valve for controlling said leading- 0H means, a handle for operating the rotary valve, and means carried by the handle for operating the other valve, substantially as described.

8. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means'whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, means for leading off air under pressure from said chamber, a valve for controlling said means, a second olf air under pressure, a communicating with said all positions of the valve, for controlling the commeans for leading port in the valve second means for and a second valve munication between said port and the chamber, substantially as described.

9. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, means for leading oi air under pressure from said chamber, a valve for controlling said means, a second means for leading oi air under pressure, a port in the valve communicating with said second means for all positions oi' the valve, a second' valve for controlling the communication between said port and the chamber, a controller for operating the first valve, and means moving with the controller for operating the second valve, substantially as described.

10. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, means for leading olf air under pressure from said chamber, a valve for controlling said means, a second means for leading oil' air under pressure, a port in the valve communicating with said second means Jfor all positions of the valve, a second valve for controlling the communication between said port and the chamber, a controller for operating the iirst valve, and means carried by the controller for operating' the second valve, substantially as described.

11. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, a brake-cylinder, means whereby communication may be established between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve having a port extending through it for controlling said means, a long port located on one side only of the valve, means for leading oi air under pressure in open communication with said port, means for establishing communication between the chamber and said long port, and a valve for controlling said means, substantially as described.

12. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, a brake-cylinder, means whereby communication may be established between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve having a port extending through it for controlling said means, a long portlocated on one side only of the valve,means for leading off air under pressure in open communication with said port, a track-sander to whichv said means lead, means for establishing communication between the chamber and said long port, and a valve for controlling said means, substantially as described.

13. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber, a brake cylinder, means whereby communication may be established between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve having a port extending through it for controlling said means, a long port located on one. side only of the valve, means for leading off air under pressure in open communication with said port, means for establishing' communication between the chamber and said long port, a valve for controlling said means, a handle for operating the rotary valve, and means carried by said handle for operating the other valve, substantially as described.

14. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the' reservoir and the chamber, a brake-cylinder, means whereby communication may be v established between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve having a port extending through it for controlling said means, a long port located on one side only of the valve, means for leading of air under pressure in open communication with said port, a tracksander to which said means lead, means for establishing communication between the chamber and said long port, a valve for controlling said means, a handle for operating the rotary valve, and means carried by said handle for operating the other valve, substantially as described.

15. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber in the casing, a brake-cylinder, connections between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve for controlling said connections, said valve having a port extending therethrough, a long port opening on one side only of the valve, a pipe with which said long port is in open communication, means whereby communication may be established between the long port and the chamber, a stem on the rotary valve, a handle on the stem, a valve for controlling the communication between the long port and the chamber, a stem on said valve extending through the stem of the rotary valve, and means carried by the handle for operating said valve, substantially as described.

16. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means whereby open communication may be established between the reservoir and the chamber in the casing, a brake-cylinder, connections between the chamber and said cylinder, a rotary valve for controlling said connections, said valve having a port extending therethrough, a long port opening on one side only of the valve, a pipe with which said long port is in open communicationya track-sander connected with said pipe, means whereby communication may be established between the long port and the chamber, a stem on the rotary valve, a handle on the stem, a valve for controlling the com- TOO of a chambered casing,

munication between the long port and the chamber, a stem on said valve extending through thestem of the rotary valve, and means carried by the handle for operating said valve, substantially as described.

17. The combination with an air-reservoir, means for establishing open communication between the reservoir and the casing, two outlet-passages, a rotary valve for controlling one of the passages, a reciprocating valve for controlling the other passage, a stem on the rotary valve, a stern on the reciprocating valve extending through the stem ofthe rotary valve, a handle fitting the stem ofthe rotary valve, and means carried by the handle for operating the reciprocating valve, substantially as described.

18. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing, means for establishing open communication between the reservoir and the casing, two outlet-passages, a rotary valve for controlling one of the passages, a reciprocating valve for controlling the other passage, a stem on the rotary valve, a stem on the reciprocating valve extending through the stem of the rotary valve, a -handle fitting the stem of the rotary valve, and a lever carried by thehandle for operating the reciprocating valve, substantially as described.

19. The combination with an air-reservoir, of a chambered casing means for establishing open communication between the reservoir and the casing, two outlet-passages, a rotary valve for controlling one of the passages, a reciprocating valve for controlling the other passage, a stem onthe rotary valve, a Stern onthe reciprocating valve extending through the stem of the rotary valve, a handle fitting the stem of the rotary valve, a lever carried by the handle for operating the reciprocating valve, and a spring-pressed plunger for operating the lever, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT H. VILLIAMS.

Vitnesses:

W. J. MURRAY, H. H. HILBoRN. 

